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Thailand BASE Jumping - Suz Graham

The last of my 3-part trip to Asia, my friends and I decided to go to one of my favorite places on the planet. Ton Sai, Thailand. I've been here a few times before and I couldn't turn down the opportunity to hang out on the beach, eat Thai food, climb, and of course jump off this pretty little cliff with the best view ever and a landing area right on the beach. This little beach feels like an island, while it's officially just part of a peninsula, it is only accessible by boat and there are no cars, not like there is a road for them- and quite possibly the most laid back place on earth. It has world class climbing and is home to a few little climbing shops offering gear and courses, little bungalows sprinkled amidst the jungle and lots of mischievous monkeys running around. (And no, I'm not talking about the climbers...) It's a place that you could easily get sucked in for months, or more without realizing it. Also, this picturesque climbing paradise also is home to a few big, sheer, even overhanging cliffs that are begging to be BASE jumped off of. So that's what we do. The climb alone to the top of the cliff is hairy, jungle-y, and exposed. It begins with a single, rotting rope, dangling off a 20 foot overhanging cliff. It's so much fun and really an adventure from the time you put your boots on (Guide Tennes are the ANSWER here, best.shoe.ever when you need a good supportive shoe but still need the ability to climb some slippery, exposed, techy sections.) to the minute you land your parachute on the beach next to some unsuspecting sunbathers.